West Chicago resident Maria Villela stands with Tim Ayers, Safety and Human Performance Specialist, and Todd Kramer, Director of Field Operations, from Kramer Tree Specialists. Villela donated the tree in her front yard to the community for its use as the official 2012 Christmas tree; and Kramer Tree Specialists donated their time and labor in removing it, installing and decorating it at the Fox Community Center, 306 Main Street, West Chicago.Krista Coltrin

Rosemary Mackey

West Chicago, Illinois: November 29, 2012 -- Through the generosity of a local resident and a West Chicago business owner, downtown West Chicago will be adorned with a holiday centerpiece of massive proportion.

A twenty-eight foot Eastern White Pine was donated by the Villela family of West Chicago; then cut, transported and fully decorated by Kramer Tree Specialists. It will be on display through December at the Fox Community Center, located at 306 Main Street, and be one of the main attractions of Frosty Fest.

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Acting Mayor Ruben Pineda will be joined on stage by members of the Villela family and a representative of Kramer Tree Specialists, as well as by the three students who wrote winning essays in the annual Frosty Fest Essay Contest, to help the crowd count down the grand lighting. Not only will the tree be lit at the magical moment, but all of the lighted City decorations downtown will come on at the same time.

Added bling will come from the storefronts of businesses lining Main Street, too. At publication time, eight downtown businesses agreed to dress up their windows for the season for the enjoyment of festival goers, who are encouraged to walk around and vote for their favorite. Ballots will be collected at three locations that evening - the Fox Community Center, the American Legion, and the City Museum -- and a random drawing of those voting will award the person selected with a $25 gift card to a local business. Participating businesses include: Casa Rios Bridal Boutique, El Coco Loco, International Yoshitaka Karate, Mid City Restaurant, Paleteria Rosy Ice Cream, Royal Polish (on Galena Street) St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store and T.J. Maintenance.

"There has been involvement at every level of the community in our Frosty Fest," said Acting Mayor Ruben Pineda. "From our school children and older residents, to the business community and the volunteers that serve on the committee, this is a hometown event in its purest form. West Chicago's spirit shines as bright as our downtown will shine on Saturday night!"

The official tree lighting ceremony will take place at approximately 4:30 p.m., following the Frosty procession down Main Street. Full details may be found by visiting www.westchicago.org.